Hijack drill: ‘DIAL lacked sincerity’

The confidential report prepared by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) — the aviation security regulator — has slammed DIAL for its “lack of sincerity” and “poor homework” during the anti-hijack drill that was conducted on January 19, 2010.

“Sufficient coordination was not done by DIAL (Delhi International Airport Limited — the private operator of the Delhi airport) with different agencies involved in the mock exercise. Only one walkie-talkie was provided by DIAL for the control room but no walkie-talkie was provided for the negotiator,” the report said.

“DIAL officials did not pay proper attention towards ensuring proper communication and logistics for the exercise. There was a total lack of sincerity and poor homework was done by DIAL. In fact, it appeared that the entire set-up of DIAL was indifferent to the conduct of the exercise,” it said.

“This mock drill was a national level exercise planned and executed by BCAS. Necessary arrangements as desired by BCAS were made by DIAL. The drill was carried out in a process-driven and timely manner with complete involvement of the DIAL staff and other agencies involved at the airport,” a DIAL spokesperson said.

On Air India (AI), the report said that none of its representatives were present near the forward command post, the commercial staff of AI was not aware/involved in the exercise, and that the captain from Air India did not report for the exercise as was decided earlier at a meeting and that no stepladder was provided by the airline.